Chevrolet Tracker ball joint problems

Filed Sep 23, 2021 · Suspension · WV

Corrosion and rust proofing causing the subframe and control arms to corrode and detach

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Suspension · 148,000 miles · OH

While driving on highway had to brake steering wheel violent went left if anyone had of been in other lane I would have hit them head on. I thought the brake caliper was locking up. So I went to part store bought a nw one($92) took it to a garage of a man I knew. He put it on lift to change caliper he noticed control arm complete ly rusted out on cross frame..there was also a hole about 7"long rusted out of frame.bthis wasn't a safety prob. He said not to drive it wads not safe to drive. It was a sunday no one working on sunday. Went back monday. He had to do alot of welding metal plates just to get it home. Home checked on line for a cross member cheapest$300 plus shipping thats not to install it. I have a limited income so cant afford it right now. Chevy has new this prob for a long time according to internet as toyoto did with rusting. Out frames. The frame on this car should have replace by chevy they used poor metal that would be unsafe. Ive seem car frames from way back better than this. I've only had this carfor a week.the body and transmission are excellent but the rest was made cheap. Its a 2000 tracker (148000 mi) 4cyl 2.0 4wheel drive.. I also noticed online the prob was right side of cross member. This prob same in 1999. Chevy wants to delay long enough so they are a cup full of rust. Its sad how crooked people can be just to make a buck. Thank you [xxx]. (don't have access to pictures information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 27, 2019 · Steering · NC

Inside tie rod end do not line up properly with outside tie rod ends are fine and in a sharp turn it cause the front to shake very bad I can lift 300 lb and it took everything I had to control it from rolling over. Mechanic said I muscled the metal in to place and damage both inside tie rods ends only. I have no replaced them yet not sure what to do. I if I had not been strong enough to bend the medal there would have been a wreck. I been know break and bend parts like this before.

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Suspension · 131,762 miles · TX

Passenger front lower control arm mounting bracket has detached from the front crossmember. Happened today march 28th 2017. Vehicle was originally sold and driven in north missouri. Does have considerable rust, but didn't know the suspension mounting point would break free? I was a few blocks from my residence when it happened and no injuries occurred. It happened on north side dr. In fort worth,tx. Overcast, dry pavement on traffic. I hit bumps on railroad crossing and quite a few potholes.

Filed Mar 13, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 50,000 miles · IL

Vehicle has a known and serious safety manufacturing defect previously covered under a "special coverage - #06186" for corrosion and rust proofing causing the subframe and control arms corrode and detach. Gm refuses to honor previously expired special coverage and considers this an "out of pocket" expense.

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Suspension · 84,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet tracker. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate. The failure was persistent. The contact also stated that the vehicle shook violently when the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front control arm failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2015 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · DC

My mechanic advised me that the front suspension cross member is rusted to the point the it will snap off. When I make a right hand turn or go over bumps I can hear cracking noises. Contacted chevy (gm) was advised that I am 4 years too late in contacting them. Asked about the recall, they told me it was a silent recall. And because I live in a state that has snow and ice this contributed to the problem. I advised that is this is the case then every car in this state would have the same problem. Following is from gm's website: " front suspension cross member did not receive adequate corrosion protection. The result of this condition may be most noticeable on vehicles driven in areas where rust is most common, such as areas where salt is used to control snow and ice. The corrosion may advance and cause rust-through perforation of the cross member in the area of the left or right front lower control arm attachment brackets. As the corrosion progresses the cross member will become thinner and the attachment brackets and the perforations will grow in size. If there are substantial amount of perforations, the left and right front lower control arm attachment brackets will become weakened and begin to flex. If this occurs, the customer may notice front tire wobble, steering looseness, vehicle pull to one side, front end noises (clunk, bang, rattle, etc) vehicle shaking, or steering wheel rotation when shifting from reverse to drive and drive to reverse.

Filed Aug 19, 2014 · Body, Steering · 142,347 miles · MI

Driving on expressway car started to vibrate and shake severely. The car was pulling to the left and steering became difficult, experiencing partial loss of control. I pulled over to shoulder of highway and upon investigation noticed the cross beam was rusted through and the left drivers side control arm had broke free. I had the car towed to the nearest chevrolet dealer and was told the vehicle was three months past the extended coverage. I had the tracker checked previously for this problem when I received a letter from chevrolet about a possible issue and was told there was not an issue with my car. Really! If chevrolet knew there was a safety issue, it should have been repaired to begin with.

Filed Jan 19, 2012 · Suspension · IA

Letter to the administrator from senator grassley on behalf of constituent re problems with his 2003 chevy tracker *tgw the consumer sated while driving, he noticed a peculiar problem, that became worse on turns, braking and pulling the vehicle to the left. The consumer took the vehicle to his mechanic, who advised him of a recall. When the consumer contacted gm corporate, he was informed the vehicle was out of mileage and was told there was nothing that could be done. The consumer referenced an issue of front suspension corrosion of the lower control arm. The front suspension cross member may not have received adequate corrosion protection.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Suspension · 177,554 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet tracker. While driving at approximately 45 MPH and depressing the brakes, the vehicle began to pull to the left abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic advised that there was corrosion found on the front lower control arm bracket and cross member. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the warranty was extended for the front suspension and cross member corrosion but the contacts VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 177,554.